When was the last time you thought about what’s in your
cleaning products? Ideally, we should be using safe cleaners. Unfortunately not
everything on the store shelf fits the bill.
Many products contain corrosive, toxic chemicals that might “clean”
well but they certainly don’t do much to protect the health of your family.
These toxic concoctions can leave awful residues that are harmful on food
surfaces, and contribute to indoor air pollution. In addition, they can be
dangerous to ecosystems and wildlife when then are disposed of, particularly
when they get into rivers, streams, and lakes.
Choosing safe products is so important, but the waters can
be hard to navigate at first. Here are some tips to choosing safe
products.
Ingredients Matter… If
the product doesn’t tell you what’s in it, don’t buy it. Transparency is a big
deal when looking for safe products. While there may be safe products without a
disclosed ingredient list, you have no way of knowing that the product you are
about to use is safe. The absence of an ingredient list is a big red flag and
it’s not worth the risk.
Know What To Watch Out
For… Here is a list of common toxins.
- Ammonia. Toxic when inhaled, swallowed or touched. It is seriously strong, not to mention potentially deadly when mixed with the wrong stuff.
- Antibacterials & Disinfectants. These include a whole list of ingredients ranging from Bleach to Triclosan. The overuse of these types of products is blamed for antibiotic resistant bacteria, and the truth is that extreme disinfectants are rarely needed. Dish detergent or a bit of soap and water should be most of what you’ll ever need. There are natural options, just read the labels!
- Butyl Glycol, Ethylene Glycol, Monobutyl. This is common in most general cleaners and is dangerous to the nervous system, liver & kidneys.
- Chlorine Bleach. Bleach is very obviously strong, corrosive and irritating to both the eyes and lungs. Avoid it when at all possible. (And avoid accidentally getting bleach spots on clothes and other household fabrics.)
- Petroleum Solvents. Many ingredients are derived from petroleum and are commonly found in many cleaning products as surfactants (watch for this term on ingredient lists). Other derivitives, including formaldehyde, can be found in a variety of household cleaners.
- Phosphates. These are harmful to aquatic life and are often found in laundry & dish detergents.
- Phthalates. Watch for fragrance on ingredient lists. These hormone disruptors are often components of complex synthetic fragrances. Avoid artificial scents at all costs. They are toxic and this goes for everything from cleaners to shampoo to candles. Choose options that say “Phthalate Free” or mention the use of essential oils for fragrance.
Know Your Options… There
are a lot of safe products for cleaning. Know them, use them, save money and enjoy
the decrease in toxic chemicals in your home!
- Baking Soda. Great for cleaning so many things. From hard water to pet messes and smells, baking soda is a hero. Combine it with a little water to scrub up just about anything to a nice shine. Add to vinegar or dish soap for super strength to clean tile, pots and pans, carpet, tubs, toilets and even stains on clothing!
- Borax. A great laundry additive that can be used for household cleaning. Use caution in a home with small children as ingestion is not safe. The powder form makes it a special concern around little ones.
- Castile Soap. A gentle soap made from vegetable oil (often olive) as opposed to animal fat or synthetics. This stuff is great for use in general cleaning, laundry, body wash, hand wash, shampoo.
- Lemon Juice. Great in cleaners, cutting grease and lightening stains – or hair!
- Washing Soda. Similar to baking soda but stronger. It is a great laundry additive and can often be found in the laundry isle.
- Vinegar. Good for just about everything. White Vinegar & Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) can be used in cleaning. White Vinegar is good for mixed and general cleaning, while ACV is great for soaking toilets, showers, sinks and other tough water/mildew spots. (It’s also a great hair conditioner.) Use vinegar to make your own all-purpose/glass cleaners. Add to the laundry in the rinse cycle for a great fabric softener. Even put it in the dishwasher rinse aid compartment. Vinegar is amazing!
Purchase Safe
Alternatives… If you would rather
purchase safe, ready-made cleaners, there are a number of brands to look for
when shopping, among them:
- Green Works
- Seventh Generation
- EcoConcepts
- Method
